USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 37
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345
1663. ~
Feb. 16.
Christian by savages. Surrender of river, &c.
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
be granted but to the great prejudice of the company, where- fore your honour must excuse the company in declining these, as they already must be understood to have done, from the resolution of the aforesaid company, of 21st March, 1661, art. 4, which we had the pleasure to communicate to you. Articles 8, 9, 10 have been answered at articles 1 and 2, where the question of property and jurisdiction was dis- cussed."1
" The ground-rent or duties of 4 stivers on each beaver, which thus far was levied on the South River, is abandoned, and left in future for the benefit of the city."2
All goods carried from New Amsterdam to colony of city, and from there hither, (Amsterdam,) as now is the usage, are subject to visitation of a commissary of the company, in future to be by commissary of city, on certain conditions. Various other regulations.
" We heard, with regret, of the murder of a Christian by the savages, in the colony of New Amstel, and as this event March 26. might be followed by more serious consequences, we are satis- Murder of a fied with the precautionary measures your honour has taken, while we have not been deficient in providing you with re- quired powder, or to communicate this testimony to the com- missaries interested here with the administration of the city, that they might give their officers such orders by which the security may be maintained. This brought to stand an ami- cable interview between them and us, to the effect that the whole South River shall be left to the city, which should de- fend it by a complete garrison."3
Hendrick Huygens informs Beekman of a horrid deed at March 29. Upland, committed by a Finn, Jan Hendrickson, against the Murder; honest Juriaen Kuys Sneart, whom they have cruelly beaten. probably He was tried, and the case referred to Peter Stuyvesant.4 same as above.
The directors of the West India Company write from Am- sterdam to Stuyvesant, " that the complaints which have been April 13. made against director of this city, Alexander D'Hinoyossa, Complaints and the sheriff, Gerrit Van Sweringen, and their proceedings there in executing and hanging a runaway servant who re- to directors. sided before in New Netherland, is strange." It had before been commanded to the commissary and directors, to exert
against D'Ilinoyossa
1 Albany Records, vol. viii. p. 352-355.
2 Ibid. vol. viii. p. 356. Ibid. pp. 358 to 364.
3 Ibid. vol. iv. p. 415. 44
4 Ibid. vol. xvii. p. 262.
346
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1663. themselves to restore order. "D'Hinoyossa, (although at his own request,) shall be summoned here; summons to be de- spatched by a vessel to sail from here on adventure to South River, with a large number of labourers, and some other families."
Amstel. Fifty labour- ers and twelve girls coming over.
They allude to " repeated complaints of the commissaries, Complaints that farmers are induced purporting that the company's government in New Netherland seemed to make it a study to oppress the colony of the city, to leave New to prevent its growth, alleging, among other examples, that they did protect the colonists who, from time to time, escaped from the colony, and hired, by sinister means, their best and ablest farmers from there, as they complained, which hath actually been practised with one Brer Wolters. Said com- missaries entreated us most seriously, as they had again con- cluded to send there 50 labourers and 12 girls, for the service of the colony, not only that similar measures might not again be put in practice, but further, if any of them within three years might escape from the service in the colony to the Manhattans, they might be sent back again."
May 7. More colo- nists.
Another order is given to send over Alricks's papers.1
" Many labourers and other freemen are, on account of this city, going to South River in ship Jacob, from Amster- dam to Manhattans; passage and board, 36 florins. In fourteen days another vessel is to sail."2
May 17. Land to Beekman.
At Beekman's request, a small valley, with six morgens of woodland, bordering on, situated on west side of Altona, and containing about eight morgens, is granted to him by Stuy- vesant.3
May 29.
Large bodies of Seneca In- dians are on their march to the Min- quas. At- tack feared at Altona, which is in no state of defence.
A. Hudde communicates, in a letter from Altona to Stuy- vesant, that "information was received by one Harman Reirders, residing in the colony of New Amstel, of the Eng- lish, which he received with request to communicate to us that the Senecas being 1600 strong, with wives and children, were on their march to the Minquas; that they were yet a two-days' journey from the fort of the Minquas. The Min- quas have about 80 men, who, however, were not yet in, besides 100 of the savages from the river, who are already in the fort. The English requested something of the Minquas, which they declined, and now the English seem to favour the Senecas, so that it is said that they had resolved to send some
1 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 427.
2 Ibid. p. 429. Direct. to P. S. 3 Ibid. vol. xxi. p. 108.
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347
1663. -
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
of the men to meet the Senecas, and conclude with them a treaty of peace, and as the savages on the river will not always remain at the fort, this may occasion disturbances on the river during this summer. This was intended for, and despatched to his honour, William Beekman, to communicate this and other parts to him chiefly interesting. I conceived it a duty to present a similar report to your honour, as in our destitute situation it would be entirely beyond my power to make any defence, in case of a sudden attack. We may flat- ter ourselves that this event will not happen, but we have no assurance. A. HUDDE."1
" When I arrived, on the last of May, at New Amstel, I June 6. perceived there a great change ; all were jointly engaged to Repairing repair the fort, as the Minquas were blockaded in their fort fort. Fight between by the Senecas, being about 800 strong. When the Senecas Minquas and approached, three or four men were despatched to the fort Senecas. with the offer of peace, while their force remained at a dis- tance ; but a Minqua returning from hunting discovered the Senecas, so that next day they from the fort concluded to meet them, with 20 or 30 men, when the Minquas at the same time, with their force, made an attack, drove the Senecas to flight, and pursued them for two days, retaking 10 persons, and 10 men killed, if we can depend on two Minquas who arrived at New Amstel on 2d instant.
" On 1st instant, at New Amstel, by the sounding of the Van Swerin- bell, is published a certain letter from fatherland, addressed gen par- doned for to director-general and council at New Amstel, by which it killing a sol- appears Van Sweringen, the sheriff, was pardoned for shoot- dier. ing an insolent soldier, and that director-general and council are recommended to furnish the magazine with the necessary supplies, as the lords patrons resolved to equip a ship with colonists, besides a number of labourers. At its date it was 130 families reported that 130 families had engaged to transport them- expected. selves hither at their own expense; further, that the burgo- masters were then negotiating with the company to give the whole river to this colony ; might expect the result in next vessel.
" If the lord mayors abdicated South River to join to the W. Beekman colony, William Beekman wishes to be employed anywhere in the service."2
" The directors of the colony of this city, (Amsterdam, ) say,
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 276. 2 Ibid. p. 280.
wishes to be employed, in case of trans- fer.
348
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1663.
A. D'Hinoyossa, arrived here three or four days ago, by way of Virginia. We cannot yet discover the motives of this un- expected arrival, as only generally, that the inhabitants in the colony of the city, should, as it were, have compelled him to this journey ; time will teach what he may bring with him, and what will be the consequence of his visit."1
June 28. Arrival of D'Hinoyossa at Amster- dam.
Beekman says, " the directors and council of New Amstel July 3. are again instructed to provide magazines, with every neces- Magazines to sary article, as new colonists are expected, and there is no be supplied. Prospect of river to the city. doubt the city will unite, with the whole river, to the colony, surrender of in which case we shall be compelled to leave this place ; wherefore I render my request to your honours that I may anywhere else be continued in the service of the company."2
July 23.
Fears at Al- tona. Desti- tute condi- tion of the fort.
Beekman having heard of the massacre at Esopus, learns from the savages that they at Altona belonging to the people of director-general may be molested by the runners. He says, " there are only ten or twelve musket-balls in the ma- gazine, and no flints, which are so much more required, as most of the inhabitants have fowling-pieces ; all bread and corn nearly gone. I might engage four or five men as sol- diers, at 16 guilders light money per month."
Hudde going to Maryland to set up brewing.
" Andreas Hudde says he has asked you for his discharge, intending to reside in Maryland, and set up brewing, assisted by Henry Coursay."
The Senecas are suspected of having murdered two Eng- lishmen in their house, in the upper part of Maryland."3
July 24. Lord Balti- more ex- pected. No wine to treat him with.
Lord Baltimore is expected at Altona, and Beekman in- forms Stuyvesant that "here on the river, not a single draught of French wine is obtainable, and requests him to send some, to treat the nobleman with, and charge it to me."
Rev. Zetsco- ven called by Swedes. Laers op- moses him.
" Abelius Zetscoven, (or Schelshooven,) received an invita- tion and calling by the Swedish congregation, under the ap- probation of your honour, but the Rev. Laers opposed him- self against him with all his influence, so that the commis- saries were compelled to threaten him with a protest, before he could be persuaded to permit the Rev. Zetscoven to preach on second day of Whitsunday."4
He mentions the debut of Sheriff Van Sweringen, court, &c. The sheriff continues to act, and wear his sword in public.
July 28.
1 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 431; Letter from Directors in Holland to Peter Stuyvesant. 2 Ibid .; Letter of W. Beekman to P. Stuyvesant. 3 Ibid. vol. xvii. p. 290. 4 Ibid. p. 286.
,
349
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
" On the 9th, arrived at New Amstel, Lord Baltimore, with 1663. his suite, consisting of about 26 or 27 persons. On 11th and 12th, I entertained his lordship at Altona, and the go- vernor has it in contemplation, when he visits Boston in the August 15. spring, to take his passage by way of Manhattan. He desired Lord Balti- me to thank you for your offer of convoy and horses."
more ar- rives. Treaty with Indians about limits.
" On 12th, at request of Sheriff Van Sweringen, appeared several chiefs of the river savages, when the sheriff, without notice to us, renewed, together with the English governor and council, a treaty of peace and friendship, which had been made with the savages about two years before, and endea- voured, in that course, to define the limits, in conformity to the demands of his masters, when the answer was, they would communicate to Lord Baltimore. On the 9th, I re- Fast day. ceived your orders for a general fast and prayer-day, which we shall observe in conformity."1
In this month also, arrived a ship " from Holland, with Arrival new planters, ammunition, and implements of husbandry."2 from Hol- land.
" I only heard, August 27, that the Esopus savages were September 1. now encamped at the head of this river, near the Minnesinks, Esopus. who, it is reported, united with them. On the 28th, I learned Minnesinks and Min- at Keneses, that on the 24th there had been two of Esopus quas. savages there about a day. 25th August, three Minquas Senecas. Governor of Maryland as- sists Min- quas with passed by here, and say they returned from the Maquas, where they went to offer their presents; that the Maquas killed three of their squaws and two river savages who were guns, &c. all in camp. The Senecas will be assisted by the Maquas cay. Fort in de- against Minquas. The governor of Maryland lately assisted the Minquas with powder and balls, and two pieces of cannon, and four men to manage them. The fort wants repair ; also the palisades, and the whole is in decay, and soldiers will want clothing for winter. A. Hudde anxious for his dis- charge. Evert Hendrickson is unruly."3
Peter Kock takes the oath of fidelity as collector of tolls Sept. 9. on imports and exports from colony of city.
The directors of the company having resolved to cede the Sept. 11. river to the city, thus give to Stuyvesant their views and motives :
"Since the peace concluded between this government and that of England did effectually forbid the English to execute,
1 Albany Records, vol. xvii. p. 298.
3 Ibid.
2 Smith's N. Y. vol. i. p. 13.
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350
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1663.
Reasons for the surren- der of South River to city, and Fort Chris- tina.
Instructions to Stuyve- sant to sur- render the river.
by force of arms, their hostile intentions against the conquest of New Netherlands, which they had revealed long ago, we could discover, without a great effort, that they meditated other expeditions in lieu of those which have been taken from their hands by said peace, encroaching upon us from every side, by dint of colonies, even within these boundaries, which could on no account be contemplated, as not belonging to the conquests of the company. This daring enterprise, with other motives besides, made us resolve to make a cession of the South River to the city of Amsterdam, on such terms as are known to your honour, in the firm persuasion that said city should, by a numerous population, in such manner have overawed the English, that the interests of the company in New Netherland should have been placed in a state of perfect security. But when experience had revealed what was before concealed by ignorance, in the day-spring of similar import- ant concerns, so have we agreed with the city of Amsterdam, after we had examined together on what time had instructed us, what was unavoidably required to promote the population on the South River, that we, besides the stipulations on which we entered before with said city, should transfer to it all our right and title, as your honour may see from the enclosed extract of our resolutions of 8th and 16th February, and 30th July, and 3d and 9th of August, for conformity with them, we recommend your honour expressly, and command you, to transfer to such one or them whom the city of Am- sterdam shall have authorized, all the lands and places men- tioned in the 1st, 8th, 9th and 10th articles, in such manner and on such terms as the cession has been made, and aban- doning Fort Christina, all the ammunition of war, the guns, and all which belong to those, with other property of the company, with the garrison, must be removed from there."
Order to de- liver papers, &c.
" Your honour will deliver to him or them all the letters, charters, and papers which are in the secretary's office, with poor money, and all that which may bear any relation to the colony on the South River, giving all which belongs to them, and keeping only what remains our property. In this man- ner your honour shall execute our intentions, which the ser- vice of the company have induced us to adopt."
Not to admit colonists into Manhattan.
After speaking of debts and persons, to avoid their moving from one colony to the other, they say, " We, in conformity with our resolutions of the 3d and 9th August, require from
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351
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
your honour, and by this letter command, to admit in future, 1663. - not one of the colonists of the city, or of its labourers, ex- cept they can show their pass, and prove by a certificate that the city has received payment of her advance money." He must consider private debts as personal matters ; begs him to settle, as soon as possible, the account between the colony and the city. Speaks of a brewery sold by city's director, D'Hinoyossa Alexander D'Hinoyossa, without any process, for half its sells brew- ery, &c. value, on behalf of one Meyndert Jansen Hoorn, to cover by it a certain bond of late deceased J. Alricks and A. D'Hino- yossa, which this city has declined receiving; asks for infor- mation about it. Encloses copy of oath to be taken by custom- house officers.1
The directors in Amsterdam inform Stuyvesant of the Sept. 21. surrender of the river to the city. They refer to a letter of Contract en- the 14th, informing " that we have entered into a contract with this city, about our possessions on South River, adding the reasons and motives which induced us to this step, viz. to secure, in this manner, without any expense of the company, the South River from the encroachments of our English neighbours from the south, of whom nothing more favourable can be expected than from those of the north, who, notwith- standing the alliance between the crown of England and this republic, are continuing in their usurpations, as your honour, in such significant terms, related in your last letter of May, soliciting, with eagerness, that we might procure a finale of the mutual boundaries, so that we, in answer to this, may well say, that it has been highly serviceable that we made this cession of the whole river to the city, and recommend to her its protection and preservation, as able to effect, with more force and authority, to which she is obliged by the stipulations of the contract. It appears, too, that this city is willing to fulfil her engagements, while she, since that event, not only with more zeal, but with more vigour, exerts herself in watching her own interests in that distance, having resolved to transport to that country annually, 400 colonists, and other useful husbandmen, if a larger number is not obtained, which of course must contribute to our security against the English north. We may expect, besides this, a more powerful inter- cession of this city by our government, to obtain from the crown of England the final settlement of the long-desired
1 Albany Records, vol. iv. pp. 433-436.
tered into for the sur- render of the river to the company. Reasons for it.
352
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1663. boundaries, for which we shall leave nothing unexplored, and communicate the result. While we renew our recommenda- tion to maintain yourself in possession of territory which has been allotted to us by the provisional treaty, and to resist all new encroachments of our English neighbours, as in our power."
" We must inform your honour that this cession of our Views on the possessions on South River made some merchants who are cession of the river. trading to New Netherlands very uneasy, while they are ap- prehending that the commerce of the Manhattans might be more diverted to another channel, because the city had re- served to her alone the exclusive commerce of that river, which in our opinion has been principally intended that the vessels which she hired for the transport of the labourers and free colonists might not return with their cargoes, as she could not succeed in engaging any ships to undertake the voyage, except they were previously secured that they would obtain again their freight hither. Thus at least has been the case of the 'Parmeland Church,' which lately sailed to that colony, by which this city sends them a cargo of goods, to traffic for tobacco and fur." * *
" We recommend your honour to obtain information about the government and success of said colony, expecting from Gerrit Kock, who had been appointed, by city and company, custom-house officer on South River."1
By a postscript to this letter, it appears a communication for D'Hinoyossa accompanied it, " of importance ;" so it is probable he was returned from Holland.
The directors in Holland say to Peter Stuyvesant, " We have been advised, some time ago, from Sweden, that Admiral Hendrick Gerritson Leeselin was equipping there two vessels, the one the frigate Falcon, of 32 guns, the other a yacht of 8 or 10 guns, of whose destination various rumours were there afloat. * * Others guessed that their aim was in America or Nova Scotia, and so on the South River or New Netherland, to take it in their possession and cultivation again ; and although the latter has very little plausibility in it, however, while we are now informed from there that the said vessels have actually sailed, and it remains possible that they might have contemplated to venture an enterprise on the South River, after they have accomplished their plan of 1 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 437.
October 16. Swedish ves- sels of war expected.
353
PETER STUYVESANT, DIRECTOR-GENERAL.
commerce with Guiana, so we have deemed it expedient to 1663. give your honour timely warning, without the ministers of the city and colony on said river, may at an early period be ad- monished to be on their guard."1
" Since our letter of 16th, we were informed that the two October 30. Swedish vessels should, when arrived in the Sound, embark Swedish ex- there 200 or more soldiers, with the renewed report that their pedition. Directions respecting Altona. destination was towards South River, wherefore we command and recommend you, at the solicitations of the commissioners and directors of the colony of this city in New Netherland, that all the guns which the company has in Fort Christina, otherwise called Altona, when that fort was surrendered, shall, for the present, and till you receive further orders, un- der a formal handwriting and signed obligation to return them to the company whenever it is required, be delivered to the director of the city's colony there, so that the said colony be in a better state of defence, on an arrival of said Swedish vessels."2
" Abelius Zetscoven is, as I before informed your honour, Nov. 15.' called as a minister by those of the Augsburg Confession who Rev. Mr. reside in the colony of New Amstel, with consent of the di- rector and council of that colony, under the approbation of the high and respectful lords the burgomasters. He has, during his residence there, been but once, the last Monday of Pentecost, in the district of the company, when he preached at Tinnekonk, at the request of the Swedish commissaries, when they offered such a salary as was received by the Rev. Amstel. Laers. Their chief object was to engage him as school- master, but those of New Amstel would not dismiss him. What your honours have been informed that he too adminis- ters baptism, is not true,3 so that in this I shall wait upon your honour's further orders."
Zetscoven preaches at Tinnekonk, where he is called. Wanted as schoolmas- ter. Won't dismiss him from New
Don't bap- tize.
" I found myself obliged to dismiss Andreas Hudde, on Removal and his continued entreaties and lamentations to move to Mary- death of A. Hudde. land, on last of October. He started from here with his family, on the 1st of November, for Appoquinimy, and died there on the 4th, of an ardent fever." Thus ended the life of this long-tried and faithful servant of the Dutch. He
1 Albany Records, vol. iv. p. 444.
2 Ibid. p. 447.
3 Acrelius, p. 425, says, " A student, A. Selskoorn, came to the country, and some time performed divine worship at Sand-hook, went to New Amsterdam, and got a call from Stuyvesant; he never had charge of any congregation on South River, as a regularly ordained clergyman."
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354
A. D'HINOYOSSA AND W. BEEKMAN.
1663. was, as early as 1642, appointed surveyor at Manhattan, from which station he was removed to South River, in 1645, as commissary at Fort Nassau, since which time he has been identified with the Dutch interests on this river, having con- ducted almost all their negotiations, especially those with the Swedes under Governor Printz, of which we have already given a full report, made purchases of land, and been com- mander at Altona ; in short, throughout the whole course of the Dutch, excepting a few of the later years, he has been one of the most prominent, useful men ; notwithstanding, he appears, in his old age, to have laid up little for himself, and becoming weary of his position, determines to remove to Maryland, and while on the road, is arrested by death, but a few months before the Dutch power itself on the river ceases to exist.
Garrison. Savage chief friendly to the Dutch.
The garrison at Altona yet consists of ten persons.
The savage chief, Erwehong, says he will undertake no- thing against the Dutch.1
December 5.
Return of D'Hinoyossa with 150 souls.
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